蘑菇AV

UK retail sales grew 3.2% YoY in December: Even with a late surge, sales rose just 0.7% YoY in 2024.

Go further: Read how Wayfair and other housing-related retailers performed in our Retail & Ecommerce Earnings Q3 2024 report. This article is part of 蘑菇AV鈥檚 client-only subscription Briefings鈥攄aily newsletters authored by industry analysts who are experts in marketing, advertising, media, and tech trends.

The news: Shein鈥檚 and Temu鈥檚 influence in the US is fading quickly as both companies cut ad spending and look to Europe for growth. Our take: Shein and Temu are finding that the billions of dollars they plowed into US advertising have not been enough to secure US customers鈥� loyalty in the face of higher prices. But rather than find ways to extend the longevity of their US businesses, both companies are fleeing to Europe to take advantage of the (currently) more favorable trade environment.

Germany鈥檚 digital landscape is evolving fast, driven by shifting consumer behaviors, increasing ecommerce adoption, and changing media habits. Recent data reveals the trends shaping digital spending, retail sales, and more.

Digital wallets are already the leading payment method for ecommerce, notching 40% of transaction volume in 2024, per Worldpay鈥檚 Global Payments Report 2025. And they鈥檙e making headway at the point-of-sale (POS), accounting for 18% of POS value last year, versus credit cards鈥� 24%. Worldpay forecasts that share will grow to 33% by 2030.

A trade war between two of the world鈥檚 largest consumer markets would cause significant disruption for consumers, retailers, and brands in Europe.

The news: Nearly half of US and UK consumers admit to abusing retailers鈥� returns policies in the past 12 months, according to a survey conducted by The Harris Poll. Our take: Retailers face a Catch-22 when it comes to returns. Being too generous opens the door for fraud and can result in retailers being overburdened by reverse logistics costs. But being too restrictive can deter shoppers from opening their wallets.

In our first edition of the Global Digital Index, created in partnership with the RLC Global Forum, we explore retail and ecommerce in the Gulf States of the Middle East.

The retail outlook for 2025 is worse than previously anticipated. However, many smaller emerging markets are still in line for strong years, and ecommerce continues to claw share from traditional retail.

The gains were driven entirely by an increase in food and drink spending鈥攈eightened by sporting events and bank holidays鈥攁s shoppers pulled back sharply on discretionary purchases like apparel.

The news: Fiserv will acquire the remaining 49.9% stake in AIB Merchant Services, one of Ireland鈥檚 largest payment solutions providers and Europe鈥檚 largest ecommerce acquirers. Our take: Fiserv has to find innovative ways to grow among a competitive POS landscape, rising softPOS adoption, and pervasive economic uncertainty.

The retailer continues to expand its physical footprint, making it a convenient option for more shoppers. Our take: Lidl faces no shortage of competition from rivals such as Asda and Morrisons, which are using price cuts and price matches to try to grab share. However, grocery habits are tough to break, and Lidl鈥檚 strategic efforts in recent years have positioned it well to sustain its momentum.

through retail media networks that may not appear on ecommerce sites or apps.

US-UK trade deal eases barriers across key sectors: Our FAQ explains how the pact may benefit exporters and affect economic growth.

Italy鈥檚 digital landscape is evolving fast, driven by shifting consumer and media habits and increasing ecommerce adoption. Recent data reveals the trends shaping digital spending, retail sales, and more.

The news: Temu鈥檚 foothold in the US is shrinking as the company pulls back sharply on advertising. Weekly sales slumped more than 25% YoY between May 11 and June 8, according to Bloomberg Second Measure. Our take: Given the importance of the US market to Temu and its merchants, it鈥檚 possible that its current pause on US ad spending and shift to Europe is a temporary effort to regroup as it searches for a business model more resistant to tariffs and the end of de minimis. At the same time, the longer the pause goes on, the more ground it will cede to Shein and other competitors鈥攁nd the harder it will be to regain market share.

Additionally, 43.7% of consumers selected a credit card for travel purchases, per PYMNTS鈥� 鈥淗ow People Shop and Pay鈥� report. Lloyds鈥� travel app integration hits that intersection鈥攁 simple way to make infrequent, high value purchases with a credit card online.